LIHEAP FAQ Sheets - LIHEAP Assistance

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LIHEAP FAQ Sheets

Table of Contents 

What Is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for energy costs to low-income households. LIHEAP is a federal program that is administered by individual states, territories, and tribes. In New Hampshire, LIHEAP is administered by the New Hampshire Office of Energy. 

Learn more about LIHEAP by reviewing the federal program fact sheet here.

For more information about LIHEAP in New Hampshire, click here.

What Does LIHEAP Cover in New Hampshire?

The New Hampshire Office of Energy oversees LIHEAP benefits and provides financial assistance for heating expenses to qualified households. Financial assistance can include payment for:

  • Past-due utility bills
  • Deliverable fuel (propane and wood)
  • Disconnection/reconnection fees
  • Repairs and replacements of worn parts on heating units
  • Home weatherization

For more information about LIHEAP’s heating assistance initiative in New Hampshire, see the New Hampshire state 2022 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.

Cooling assistance is also available through the Electric Assistance Program, a sister program. You can find more information about the Electric Assistance Program here.

About LIHEAP Crisis Assistance

LIHEAP Crisis Assistance, like standard LIHEAP benefits, is a cash grant provided to the utility companies of eligible individuals in certain situations.

If your household meets all the eligibility requirements above and has an energy-related crisis, you may qualify for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance.

The state of New Hampshire defines “crisis situation” as one where a household:

  • Has no more than 7 days of bulk fuel left,
  • Is in danger of having their utilities disconnected, or
  • Has already had their utilities disconnected by their service provider

A “life-threatening crisis situation” also qualifies a household for Crisis Assistance. This occurs when:

  • A member of the household is a medical or health risk because of the energy loss,
  • A member of the household has a condition that requires the use of a medical device/medication that requires energy OR
  • A household has no more than 18 hours of bulk fuel remaining during winter when heating is required.

For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment of $1,575.

Learn more about Crisis Assistance on page 12 of the Detailed Model Plan here.

How Much Assistance Does LIHEAP Provide in New Hampshire?

To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the New Hampshire Office of Energy will consider:

  1. Your household size and income for the month prior to your application
  2. The fuel type you need (electricity, propane, natural gas, or heating oil)

Also, whether you are eligible for regular LIHEAP payments or Crisis Assistance payments will influence your maximum benefit amount.

As of 2022, the maximum annual benefit amount for heating in New Hampshire is $1,575 and the minimum annual benefit amount is $158.

How to Qualify for LIHEAP in New Hampshire

To qualify for LIHEAP in New Hampshire, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a resident of the state
  • At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident
  • Have an out-of-pocket energy expense from an account opened in the name of the head of the household or their spouse
  • Have an annual income that is less than the LIHEAP income limit for your household size, which is no more than 150 percent of the established Federal Poverty Level. To view the annual income limits, click here.

Learn more about the LIHEAP financial eligibility requirements in New Hampshire here.

If you or a member of your family participates in the benefit programs below, then you may automatically be eligible for LIHEAP based on your income:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Learn more here.
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Learn more here.
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Learn more here.

How to Apply for LIHEAP in New Hampshire

Eligible households can apply for LIHEAP assistance from October 1st until September 30th of the following year. Eligible households containing at least one household member that is disabled, a child under 6, or is 60 or older may begin submitting applications as of July 1st.

To apply for LIHEAP in New Hampshire, complete the following three steps:

  1. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.
  2. Choose how you are going to apply, whether by phone or in person. 
  3. Submit the LIHEAP application and other required documents.

To apply for LIHEAP in New Hampshire, you must contact your local Community Action Agency (CAA) and schedule an appointment. The agency will inform you of any verification documents that you must bring to your scheduled appointment.

Find your nearest Community Action Agency office and contact information here.

What You Will Need to Apply

When applying for New Hampshire LIHEAP benefits, you will need to provide:

  • Personal and financial information about yourself and the members of your household
  • Details about your home and its heating

The state may need the following documents and information to confirm your eligibility for LIHEAP benefits:

  • Names, birth dates and Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Utility bill information (vendor name and account number)
  • Residence information (landlord’s name, address and phone number, if renting)
  • Income verification for up to the last three months (pay stubs)

How to Check Your Application Status

You can call the Community Action Agency office where you applied directly to check your application status.

Click here to find your local office and contact information.

What Happens After You Apply for LIHEAP in New Hampshire?

Your local Community Action Agency will notify you within 30 days of receiving your application if you are approved to receive benefits. All LIHEAP payments are made to the heating or energy provider directly. Benefit payments will not be sent to you.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits

If you are denied New Hampshire LIHEAP benefits, you may request a hearing to appeal the decision by phone or in person within 30 days of when you received the denial. To request an appeal, you must contact your local Community Action Agency director. Find your nearest local CAA office here.

If you have questions about the appeal process, contact Eileen Smiglowski:

  • Phone: (603) 271-8317
  • TTY: 711 or (800) 735-2964
  • Email: eileen.p.smiglowski@osi.nh.gov

Need More Help?

If you have questions about LIHEAP benefits in New Hampshire or require further assistance, contact your local Community Action Agency office. Find your nearest Community Action Agency (CAA) office and contact information here.

You can also contact the Fuel Assistance Associate point of contact, Eileen Smiglowski, at (603) 271-8317. 

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and compiled a guide that we believe is simple to use and easy to understand. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing detailed information on the process.

Our free LIHEAP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply for LIHEAP, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.

Last Updated: September 19, 2022